Pyrus L. (Rosaceae)

A genus of ten to twenty species of trees and shrubs; Eurasia and n. Africa.

Two species occur in North Carolina, neither are native to the state.

1. Fruit subglobose; leaves serrate; flowers either 2-2.5 cm or 3-3.5 cm diam., styles 2 or 5 (rarely 3 or 4)...*P. calleryana (Bradford pear)

Bark of Pyrus calleryana (Copyright W. Cook)

Bark of Pyrus calleryana (Copyright W. Cook)

Twig of Pyrus calleryana (Copyright W. Cook)

Leaves of Pyrus calleryana (Copyright W. Cook)

Leaves of Pyrus calleryana (Copyright W. Cook)

Flowers of Pyrus calleryana (Copyright W. Cook)

Flowers of Pyrus calleryana (Copyright W. Cook)

Fruit of Pyrus calleryana (Copyright W. Cook)

N.C. distribution of Pyrus calleryana

U.S. distribution of Pyrus calleryana

*Pyrus calleryana (Bradford pear)
(Common [native of China]; commonly planted and persistent, becoming an aggressive naturalizer in fields, roadsides, and disturbed areas from NC northward; Mt, Pd, CP; Fl: Mar-Apr)

1. Fruit distinctly pear-shaped; leaves crenate; flowers 2.5-3 cm diam., styles 5...*P. communis (Common pear)

Bark of Pyrus communis (Copyright W. Cook)

Twigs of Pyrus communis (coming soon)

Leaves of Pyrus communis (Copyright W. Cook)

Flowers of Pyrus communis (coming soon)

Fruit of Pyrus communis (coming soon)

N.C. distribution of Pyrus communis

U.S. distribution of Pyrus communis

*Pyrus communis (Common pear)
(Uncommon [native of Europe]; planted, persistent around old houses and in orchards; Mt, Pd, CP; Fl: Apr, Fr: Aug-Oct)